Bulgaria M34/39

This is an unusual helmet obtained a number of years ago from a dealer in Bulgaria . The shell is an Italian M34/39 as used by the Greeks but has been fitted with a Bulgarian leather liner. Compare this with the Greek M34/39 also on this site. Externally they appear the same and internally they have the same four suspension arms used to attach the liner to the shell. This example however has the leather liner as used on the pre WWII Bulgarian M36 helmets.

Enquiries at the time of purchases establish that a small quality of these Bulgarian lined M34/39 shells were found in a Bulgarian Army military store. Along with the standard M36 helmets they had been held for a long period as Bulgarian Military war reserves during the Cold War period.

Any more information on this helmet would be appreciated. (Courtesy: T. Anderson collection)